I KNOW EVERYTHING

Before I get started, I want to make sure that I thank my kids for noticing the last Blog and that the "Dragon" had a great time playing with my caps lock when I typed the title.  It is so nice that my children support my efforts to be technological!  Wait - no they don't !  But they do count on me to provide hours of amusement!

Okay, here is a bit of sound advice for parents of children at any age…Never ask a question that you do not already know the answer to.  You will be amazed at how far this will get you.  When they are little, it will make you look like a genius! They will think you have supernatural mental powers!  Kind of like when you tell them that you have eyes in the back of your head.  I don’t know about you, but my kids have actually tried to find mine.

When they are little, and you are trying to teach them about telling the truth you always need to ask them about what they did or what happened.  Make sure you already know the answer, and gently guide them to telling the truth.  Telling the truth is sometimes frightening to a small child.  They are terrified that they will get into trouble, and more importantly disappoint you.  Believe me kids really do care about disappointing you, at least when they are little.  You have to teach them that they need to tell the truth, even when it means getting into trouble.  It can be tough to do as they try to wiggle around it, unless you already hold the answers. 

Somewhere along the way, as they got older, I actually and rather boldly would ask them a question and say, keep in mind that I do not ask a question without already knowing the truth.  You could watch them turn green and start to sweat!  The truth got harder as they got older when the mistakes got bigger.  The plan is still the same.  The truth is important whether you are three, thirteen, twenty three or thirty!  If they know they have your love, they get through the desire to lie.  It got to the point where I would pick “Calvin” up after school and simply ask “How was your day?”  He would immediately panic and say “Fine, I might as well tell you right now, because you’re going to find out anyway!”   and then he would spill it all.  I would sit in shock thinking, “I just asked if he had a good day!”

Kids who learn about the importance of truth, become adults of character and integrity.  Letting them off the hook, teaches them nothing positive.  Hold your ground Mom and Dad!  Stay involved, know what is going on in your children’s lives.  Know the answers, then ask the questions!